BE SURE YOU HAVE THE CORRECT TAGS ON YOUR TRUCKS AND TRAILERS!

THP and DOT were on 127 N. Friday, checking weight and tags on all trucks and trailers. They had troopers along the highway making sure no one turned around. One of our friends got a fine over $400. They said it was not a ticket, the cost of the tags is a tax, based on the weight, so even though it's not a ticket, he has to get the right tags, and pay over $400. Be sure to check your rig! it is your responsibility to make sure you are legal.

Replies to This Discussion

Over the years, growing up on the farm, we never put tags on our "stock" or "flatbed" trailers, or hay wagons. We always got away with claiming them to be farm vehicles, but the state will tell you all trailers should have title and registration. I do not claim to know the law, but you better check the weight and length of your rig, and check with TDOT or THP.

That day the THP and DOT were checking rigs that were loaded down with logs and box trucks I was there and watched them for a while. Not once did I see a horse trailer get pulled over. It Seems that these people that got pulled over were ones that had over the limit weight and were fined for it. I am on the Rescue Squad here in Jamestown so I keep up with the goings around here in fentress county. They need to do these checks more often because I see those Log truck and they are were they stack those logs way to high and could cause some serious fatal wreaks on the street, if ever one of those straps or chains broke. So this is a good thing No Worries but be forwarned if you know you are over the limit expect to get pulled over and fined. Peace to all Billie

We just recently purchased a 2 horse gooseneck trailer. When we went to register it and get a license the woman at the clerk's office told us we were not required to have one due to the length, our is 16', if we were traveling only in TN. However, if we were to go out of state we may required to have one depending on each states laws. If you are in doubt, contact your county clerk.

I went rounds with the county clerk on our trailer! She insisted we had to pay tax, but since it was for livestock- then there was no tax to be paid. Ours is 30 something feet. We have the tag, were told we needed it because of the length. However on the stock trailer I had, we didn't have tags. As long as your vehicle was registered in TN, you can travel anywhere without tags on the trailer, as TN does not require them. We traveled several states never had a problem.

Just found this on tennessee title and registration site:
*If an individual desires a trailer to be titled and registered and the trailer does not exceed eight (8) feet in width and is less than twenty (20) feet in length exclusive of the tongue, he/she can purchase a Trailer E or Semi Tag. If the trailer is over eight (8) feet in width and twenty (20) feet in length exclusive of the tongue, he/she must purchase a Semi Tag.

That's what i was told, no tag needed on ag trailers below a certain size except for out of state, I got a semi tag for my 20 ft gooseneck stock just to be safe, it was $60 when i got it several years ago, er um, i guess it was 15 years ago.
I do see a need for them checking, I have an old truck that I've hauled logs and mill products on and when it gets loaded not even as high as they do it becomes very top heavy, I had to drive with extreme caution and not take corners the least bit too fast, even a little dip on the edge of the road can scare me a bit. I've seen trucks loaded so high with logs I don't see how they can even drive them faster than a creep. I know the load is heavier than the whole truck and it's up there high. my truck weighs a little over 9000 and can handle 20,000 load. Very dangerous according to my feelings. I won't do it anymore quite as high as i used to. When I get near one on the road that's piled too high, I'll not stay too close cuz i know how tricky it can be to drive, and I'm sure every driver dosn't have the feel for it that I've developed in 23 years.

I know of at least 3 horse trailers that were stopped on Friday, one over weight for the tags on his truck, and the other 2 were legal, other than one's tag is supposed to be displayed on the front. Again, the problem is that the total weight was more than the tag on the truck was good for. The trailer had a good tag. I do know that stock trailers are different than trailers with living quarters, as they are considered mobile homes. I did not mean to imply that EVERY trailer has to have a tag, but if they are not registered in some way, you may not have any proof of ownership. I meant to imply that everyone should check to make sure they have the proper tags on their trucks AND trailers.
I agree that weight limits and safety should be priority, and do not suggest trying to avoid the law, I am saying you should make sure you are legal.

We were told by Macon cty courthouse that a livestock trailer does not need a tag in tn as it is agriculture. We even have a paper that we keep in the glove-box to this effeect. Is this something different or are we mis-understanding. Also, does anyone know the rules on travel trailer tagging. I feel for the folks with the $400 fine. No- one needs that , right now.

AGAIN! The fine received was due to the truck not having the proper tags. I am searching the net for good explanations of GVWR and GCWR, these are the weight ratings of single vehicle and combined (truck and trailer). For example: If your truck carries a tag that is only good up to 9000lbs, and you hook a big living quarters trailer, or a LARGE stock trailer, to it, and you total weight is over 9000lbs, your not legal. There are weight restrictions and limitations on trucks and trailers even if they are stock trailers. Your truck has to have a tag that covers the total of your combined weights. I see many 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks that I know are over the weight limits, I am probably over weight with my F-250, when I hook my STOCK trailer to it, and load it with horses, and camping gear, but most of the time we don't go away from BSF, AND, I do not have a tag on my 16' gooseneck, if I get pulled over, I will have to determine if I am transporting live stock for personal agricultural reasons, or to further my business. I have not had a problem yet, my truck does not carry commercial tags, so I hope it is a gray area I will get by with.

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